“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim 6:6)

This is an excerpt from today’s readings. I always desire to send short scriptural commentaries every day to the blog, but have good weeks and bad weeks. This has been a bad week for scriptural commentary, as this is the first time. In the spirit of the verse, I will try to be content with sending just a little bit of a thought to you.

I send these things because I want you, the reader (and of course, many of you are of my small flock also) to: 1. Read the bible 2. Be inspired to read the bible and 3. learn to find personal meaning in the things you read. The bible is a difficult book, and many do not read it because it is hard to understand. It is my hope that these short commentaries illuminate the meaning at least a little bit, and inspire you to read on your own, every day.

Although much of the bible is difficult, parts of it are "easy". The verse above is one of those parts. The first words Jesus spoke to His assembled disciples after His resurrection was "Peace be unto you". Contentment comes from peace, or better, being at peace. We cannot be at peace unless we are without sin. Our passions leave us with no peace. All that matters in life is that we find peace, because if we find it, we have found God, and become like God. We cannot do ANYTHING effectively unless we are at peace (content). when I read these words about contentment, I realize how far I am from being content, but am also filled with hope that I will sometime attain true contentment, because Our Lord promised it to us.

I want to tell you emphatically that when you are not content about your life, you are sinning. This happens to me all the time, so I am a sinner telling others about sin, but the message is nevertheless true. All of us should learn to recognize our silent attitudes and feelings, and known whether we are “in the Spirit” (as it was sometimes said of the Apostles in Acts) or not. Much of our sin is our overall attitude about life. We should strive to be content, but this does not happen from just wanting such a state. You cannot feel good unless you do good. The holy are content. Let us strive to be holy, and then we will find perfect rest.

1 Timothy 5:22-6:11 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. 1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

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